OLOF Mellberg believes Villa have to start picking up points against the league's big four.

OLOF Mellberg believes Villa have to start picking up points against the league's big four.

Villa drew with Chelsea and Liverpool at home last season but lost the other six matches.

And the year before they beat Chelsea and drew with Liverpool but lost the other six.

Villa's record against Chelsea, with three wins in the last seven league meetings, is far higher than their showing against Liverpool (1 win in 10), Manchester United (1 in 20) and Arsenal (1 in 14).

The Swedish international, who returns following a hamstring strain, said: "We'll probably be written off but we have to try to get something out of some of these challenges.

"They only scored once in two good games against us last year, but overall last season we didn't pick up enough points against the big sides.

"We only managed a couple of points last year but you have to look to win a few of those games as well. It will be a very difficult game, and we will have to be there for each other and try to defend well.

"And always in a game, whether you play well or badly, you will always get a few chances."

Juan Pablo Angel is likely to play as a lone front-man on a ground where he missed a heap of chances in a 1-0 defeat two years ago.

Mellberg added: "We're creating chances. If we can be solid and keep a clean sheet for as long as possible you will always have a chance."

Mellberg believes James Milner deserves credit for the way he has adapted to the side's all-energy game.

"He is playing really well and working really hard in defence. Against Spurs their left-back was bombing on a lot and he handled that.